Oregon Governor Replaces Head Of Education Agency

The person in charge of the Oregon Department of Education stepped down Wednesday.

Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Salam Noor had been appointed to the job by Gov. Kate Brown in 2015. His sudden departure from the job was described as a resignation by the governor’s office.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has appointed Colt Gill as acting deputy superintendent for public instruction.

Credit Oregon Chief Education Office

Brown appointed Colt Gill as an acting replacement for Noor, effective immediately. Gill was already serving as Brown’s “education innovation officer.” He previously served as the superintendent of the Bethel School District near Eugene.

For much of Oregon’s history, the head of the Oregon Department of Education was an elected official. That changed in 2011, when Oregon lawmakers made it a position appointed by the governor.